Romeo and Juliet

6-A-

Didn't Mean It That Way

"What?"

She looks at me for a few seconds then shakes her head. "Nothing."

"Julissa," I insist.

She's my best friend, and I've given her permission to slap me if she ever sees me doing something idiotic that could ruin my reputation.

"Really. Nothing," she smiles.

"I sounded like a crazy woman back there, right?" I ask as we walk into the dressing room to change for tennis.

"You sounded jealous? Yes." Her lips lift on one side as she starts removing her blouse.

"Jealous!" I laugh. Sounding crazy and sounding jealous are totally different. They fall on different extents in my dictionary. I don't sound jealous. I barely know the guy.

Melissa walks in with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a box of chocolate in the other. She looks genuinely excited, I probably feel a little jealous for her. Just a little.

"Hey girls," she sings, setting her stuff on the bench and starting to look for her clothing.

"Hi," I answer, a bitter tone in my voice. On the other hand, Julie hops next to her enthusiastically to see what the roses and chocolate are about.

They giggle together as I watch from my spot. The image of my dad bringing romantic things to my mom like this stirs up a wave of nostalgia within me. That's how it's supposed to be — mom and dad together. Not dad with someone else. Besides, what's the rush in marrying her? He just moved out a month ago. I was coping well with the idea of him being away. But not the wedding. It's a lot to take in. And he can't expect me to be okay with it. The bridesmaid?

"Bullshit!" I mutter, slamming my locker shut.

"Excuse me?" Melissa asks, surprised.

I meet the gaze of two pairs of eyes glaring right back at me. Julissa looks as if she was about to take a bite of her chocolate.

I shake my head. "I didn't mean it that way," I manage a chuckle.

"Just because every guy is supposed to be yours, it doesn't mean no one else is allowed to bring other girls something," Melissa retorts, annoyed.

The grin fades from my face immediately and I try to explain. I wasn't even thinking about how happy and cute she looked a while ago with her flowers and chocolate.

"You're misunderstanding," I clarify.

"He liked you for so long and now that I finally get him to see me, you hate that I'm happy? Bitter," she hisses. She grabs her stuff before I can explain and walks out.

"I'll change in the girls' bathroom."

I watch her silhouette disappear around the corner and feel a pang of guilt. I did deserve that. My shoulders slump, which I immediately correct when I turn to Julissa who was looking at me sternly.

"Are you mad too?"

"What was that about? George has been her crush forever, Juliet," she tells me. I feel horrible all over again because she only calls me Juliet when she is mad.

How do I explain to her that my father is getting married? I told her he flew away so mom and him were having a break. I never told her about the divorce already made. In fact, I still had hopes that they would get back together. Growing up sucks. Everything is confusing and shitty. Maybe I said those things to convince myself and not her. The thing is, I barely tell her this stuff anymore and if I confess now, I am about to lose another friend.

"I was just thinking about something else. Not that George and her are an item. If I knew from the beginning, I'd never get close to him," I say as I spin around to continue changing.

I use it to hide my eyes that are about to well up with tears.

She senses my anguish and walks over to me.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I sniff.

"Lena," she insists.

"I'm perfect," I lie with a smile on my face.

It's what people expect of me. To be strong like the reputation I own, to be happy and free like I am supposed to and never break like almost every girl would enjoy seeing me.

"Okay," she whispers as she grabs her cap and walks out, "see you out there."

Even if I tried to explain myself to Melissa, it wouldn't make sense if I don't tell the whole truth. So all I do is walk by her and smile. She rolls her eyes while she continues talking to Julissa.

"I wasn't referring to you when I said that word in there," I clarify and make another run on the court when the coach catches me taking a break.

Despite that, Melissa makes sure to avoid me at all costs along with Julissa. I try to ignore that nagging feeling and focus on my game. I make sure to release all the bad energy on the court. I pour my emotions into my exercise and feel brand new when practice is over.